JP4704752B2 - Sea wave energy converter - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to pumping devices, and more particularly, but not exclusively, using a moving volume of water to move gases, liquids, and combinations thereof from a first location to a second location. The present invention relates to a buoyancy pump device in a buoyancy pump power system that moves.

Background of the Invention Many attempts have been made to convert the energy observed in the wave phenomenon into a useful and reliable energy source using what is generally called a wave phenomenon. Wave phenomena transfer energy and momentum through vibrational shocks through various states of matter, for example, in the case of electromagnetic waves through a vacuum. Theoretically, the medium itself does not move when energy passes through. The particles that make up the medium simply move in a translational or angular (orbital) pattern to transfer energy from one to the next. Waves have particle motion that is neither longitudinal nor transverse, like ocean surface waves. More precisely, the particle motion in a wave typically includes both longitudinal and transverse components. Longitudinal waves typically include particles that move back and forth in the direction of energy transfer. These waves transmit energy through all states of matter. Transverse waves typically include particles that move back and forth perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. These waves only transmit energy through the solid. In an orbital wave, particles move along the orbital path. These waves transfer energy along the interface between the two fluids (liquid or gas).

  For example, waves generated on the ocean surface typically include both longitudinal and transverse components because the particles in the ocean wave move in a circular orbit at the interface between the atmosphere and the ocean. A wave typically has several easily distinguishable features. Such features include the wavefront, which is the highest point of the wave, the valley, which is the lowest point of the wave, the wave height, which is the vertical distance between the wavefront and the valley, the wavelength, which is the horizontal distance between the wavefront and the valley, and one wavelength. Includes a period that is the time that elapses while passing, a frequency that is the number of waves that pass through a fixed point per unit time, and a half of the crest distance, and an amplitude equal to the energy of the wave.

  Many attempts have been made to utilize and utilize the energy generated by wave phenomena, going back to the turn of the last century, such as the system disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,978,833 issued on January 25, 1898. These attempts include building a tide barrier to capture energy derived from wave phenomena, utilizing a track / rail system with complex strategies to utilize energy from wave phenomena, and shallows Some developed pump systems that were only compatible with other wave systems, and others built towers or similar objects near the coast where tides occurred. Although not described in detail herein, other attempts have been made.

  Each of these systems has many problems. For example, some systems that are adapted to use seawater are exposed to harsher environments. These systems include a number of mechanical parts that require constant maintenance and replacement, and therefore the systems are not desirable. Other systems are limited to construction on the shore or shallow water only, which limits system placement and therefore makes the system less desirable. Finally, other systems do not fully utilize the energy supplied by the wave phenomenon, thus wasting energy in the recovery process and becoming an inefficient system.

The need for efficient alternative energy sources has been screamed due to the depletion of energy sources such as oil. The greenhouse effect, believed to be the cause of global warming or similar phenomena, further strengthens the need for environmentally friendly energy creation devices. The decrease in fuel sources that are readily available to date has led to higher energy costs, which are perceived worldwide. Thus, environmentally friendly, high efficiency, further enhanced voice of the need to create an energy device with low cost.

  The need for readily available and inexpensive energy sources is also being taken seriously around the world. For example, in areas such as China, rivers are dammed up to create a massive energy supply for a rapidly growing population. Such projects can take over 20 years to complete. The energy created by such a dam construction project cannot even begin to be used until this project is completed. Accordingly, there is a further need for an energy device that supplies energy as soon as it is built and has a short construction period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems and needs identified above are solved by a wave or flow driven buoyancy pump system according to the principles of the present invention. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing that internally defines a buoyancy chamber through which fluid can pass. The interior of the buoyancy chamber is such that the buoyancy block is axially moved in a first direction in response to a rise in fluid in the buoyancy chamber and is axially moved in a second direction in response to a drop in fluid in the buoyancy chamber. Placed in.

A piston / cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing, operates in the cylinder as a suction port in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction, and responds to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction. And at least one valve operating as a discharge port. A piston is slidably disposed within the piston cylinder and is coupled to the buoyancy block, the piston being movable in first and second directions, through which the fluid substance is passed. in response to the movement in the second direction of pulling write no way buoyancy block within the piston cylinder, and in the first direction of the buoyancy block to output a fluid substance through the at least one valve Respond to the move.

  Where the buoyancy pump device is configured to pump liquid, the buoyancy pump device is coupled to a common liquid storage facility. Next, a liquid turbine for power generation is driven using the stored liquid. If gas is the medium to be pumped, the buoyancy pump device is connected to a common gas storage facility. Next, the gas turbine for power generation is driven using the stored gas.

  One embodiment for generating electricity includes systems and methods that convert wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid or fluid material is driven to the reservoir as a function of mechanical power. The fluid material is flushed out of the storage tank. At least a portion of the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid material is converted to electrical energy. The fluid material can be a liquid or a gas.

  In designing a buoyancy pump device to be located at a location in a body of water, systems and methods for designing the buoyancy pump device are utilized. The system may comprise a computing system that includes a processing device operable to execute software. The software receives input parameters including wave history data from the region of the body of water and calculates at least one dimension of the buoyancy device of the buoyancy pump device as a function of this input parameter. One or more dimensions of the buoyancy device allow the buoyancy device to generate a lifting pressure such that fluid material is driven by the buoyancy pump device.

  Another embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a system and method for generating electricity from a turbine as a function of wave energy from a body of water. The system allows the wave to (i) substantially reform after passing through at least one first buoyancy pump device; and (ii) at least one second buoyancy pump device. A buoyancy pump device configured in the body of water at an interval so as to enable driving. The buoyancy pump device is operable to drive away the fluid material and drive the turbine.

  In order to solve the problems identified above, the potential energy present when a very large amount of water found in the form of oceans, lakes and rivers naturally moves in the form of swells and waves is not limited. A buoyancy pump device is provided that converts mechanical energy with relatively high efficiency. This buoyancy pump device can be adapted to pump both gas and liquid, or a combination of both. Thus, as also referred to herein, a gas is defined as either a fluid or a gas, and thus includes both air and water. The pumped gas or liquid can then be used as a mechanical energy source to power a turbine, pneumatic tool, ventilation, or any other mechanical device that uses such forms of power. it can. Mechanical energy sources can also be used to create electrical energy utilizing similar mechanical transducers.

  Referring now also to FIGS. 1-2C, a buoyancy pump device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in various views. The buoyancy pump device 100 includes a base 102, a buoyancy cylinder 104 having one end connected to the base 102 and closed at the other end by a buoyancy cylinder cap 106, and one end connected to the buoyancy cylinder cap 106 and substantially the same as the buoyancy cylinder 104. A piston cylinder 108 is provided that is coaxially aligned. The other end of the piston / cylinder 108 is closed by a piston / cylinder cap 110. The buoyancy cylinder 104 is closed at one end by the upper surface of the base 102 and at the other end by a buoyancy cylinder cap 106 to define a buoyancy chamber 112 therein.

  A generally cylindrical buoyancy block 114 is slidably positioned within the buoyancy chamber 112 and moves axially within the chamber. A piston shaft 116 connected to the upper end of the buoyancy block 114 extends generally axially from this block and passes through an opening 118 in the buoyancy cylinder cap 106. The generally cylindrical piston 120 is slidably positioned within the piston cylinder 108, and its lower end is connected to the other end of the piston shaft 116 and moves generally together with this shaft. The piston / cylinder 108 has one end closed by the upper surface of the piston 120 and the other end closed by the piston / cylinder cap 110 to define a piston chamber 122 therein.

  An inlet valve 124 and an outlet valve 126 pass through the piston, cylinder cap 110 and communicate with the piston chamber 122 through which gas or liquid can flow. A suction port line 128 and a discharge port line 130 are connected to a suction port valve 124 and a discharge port valve 126, respectively, and receive and discharge gas or liquid from the other end, respectively.

  Base 102 may include ballast to maintain buoyancy pump device 100 in a fixed position relative to the environment. The base 102 also includes a storage receptacle for internally transported gas or liquid that is coupled to the discharge line 130 for receiving air or gas from the piston chamber 122. When the base 102 is used as a storage container, a base outlet 132 can be connected to the container to allow gas or liquid to flow out of the base 102 to a desired location. It should be understood that the location of the base outlet 132 on the base 102 can be adapted to allow the base outlet 132 to be placed anywhere on the base 102.

  The buoyancy cylinder 104, which can also be the housing of the buoyancy block, can be connected to the upper surface of the base 102 by chains 134, which are then connected to the buoyancy cylinder 104. In this manner, the chain 134 secures the buoyancy cylinder 104 on the base 102. It should be understood that a buoyancy cylinder 104 can be coupled to the base 102 using a support line or other coupling means, and thus the present invention is not limited to the chain 134 as a coupling means. .

  The buoyancy cylinder 104 can also have a plurality of openings spaced regularly around the cylinder so that a fluid, such as water, can pass through the buoyancy cylinder 104 surrounding the buoyancy block 114. In order to reduce the turbulent flow associated with such a flow, a plurality of turbulent openings 131 can be provided on the buoyancy cylinder 104. Accordingly, the buoyancy cylinder 104 may include a cage or the like to reduce the friction associated with the gas passing through the cylinder 104.

  The buoyancy cylinder 104 has a predetermined length. The length of the buoyancy cylinder 104 correlates with the movement of the buoyancy block 114 in various liquid environments. For example, when the buoyancy pump device 100 is placed in a marine environment, the length of the buoyancy cylinder 104 needs to be adjustable so that the buoyancy pump device 100 can function with annual tide changes and wave heights. It is. For example, when the buoyancy pump device 100 is placed in a lake environment, the length of the buoyancy cylinder 104 does not need to adjust the wave height operation setting.

  In another embodiment, in a body of water having a depth of 10 feet, the buoyancy cylinder has a height of at least 10 feet and in addition to the 10 feet to allow movement of the buoyancy block within the buoyancy chamber. 7 feet of operating height must be added. Thus, the buoyancy cylinder would be 17 feet high, which would have an effective stroke of 7 feet. However, this embodiment will change somewhat if there is a tidal change in the body of water.

  In a modified embodiment, a 10 foot subsea buoyancy pump device with a 2 foot tidal current will lose 2 feet of effective travel. To cope with this variation, the difference between the low and high tides is added to the length of the buoyancy cylinder to be deployed. That is, in an environment where the maximum wave height is 7 feet, the low tide is 10 feet, and the high tide is 14 feet, the difference between the low and high tides is 4 feet. Add this to the length of the buoyancy cylinder to make the total height of the buoyancy cylinder 21 feet (7 feet (to handle maximum wave height) + 10 feet (to allow the buoyancy pump device to operate at low tidal conditions) N) +4 feet (difference between low and high currents)). This allows a 7 foot travel on a high tide day and the waves that pass through are fully utilized.

  The buoyancy cylinder cap 106 is adapted to support the piston cylinder 108 thereon, and an opening 118 therein allows liquid flowing into the buoyancy chamber 112 to enter the piston cylinder 108 through this opening. It is designed to prevent this. The buoyancy cylinder cap 106 is welded or screwed, or buoyancy cylinder 104 by any other suitable means adapted to withstand the loads generated by the piston cylinder 108 and its structural components while being resistant to environmental forces. Can be linked to. A seal can be used in the opening 118 of the buoyancy cap 106 to prevent liquid or gas from entering the piston cylinder 108 from the buoyancy chamber 112. The piston / cylinder 108 seals the inside of the piston / cylinder 108 from the environment. Piston cylinder 108 is made from materials designed to limit environmental impacts, including water in lakes, oceans, and rivers.

  Buoyancy block 114 disposed within buoyancy chamber 112 is generally cylindrical and has a tapered upper surface. The buoyancy block 114 has a predetermined buoyancy such that the buoyancy block 114 moves at a period that matches the hydrodynamics of the water in which the buoyancy pump device 100 is positioned and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 100 itself. . The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 can be similarly adjusted depending on water and system characteristics and hydrodynamics. Such adjustments can be made by (1) adjusting the buoyancy block 114 to the buoyancy chamber 112 axially, radially, or in both directions, either manually or remotely, and (2) to the behavior of this block in water. This is done by adjusting other features of the affected buoyancy block 114. Typical adjustment means are described in further detail below.

  The piston shaft 116 is coupled to the buoyancy block 114 and the piston 120 by coupling joints 136 and 138, respectively. These coupling joints 136, 138 are movable or flexible in response to any radial movement of the piston 120 or buoyancy block 114 when the piston 120 and buoyancy block 114 are not aligned in the axial direction. Can be designed. Such movement or flexibility can be achieved by using swivel shaft couplings or other suitable coupling means.

  The piston shaft 116 is designed to be lightweight and environmentally resistant so that the piston shaft 116 continues to function after exposure to harsh environmental conditions. The piston shaft 116 is further designed to translate forces from the buoyancy block 114 to the piston 120 and from the piston 120 to the buoyancy block 114. Finally, the piston shaft 116 can be telescoped so that the length of the piston shaft 116 can be increased or decreased according to the requirements of the buoyancy pump device 100. Adjustment of the piston shaft 116 may be necessary when air is the pumping medium or when the wave or swell height is below a desired level. Such adjustment makes it possible to make maximum use of the potential energy of waves or undulations.

  To seal the piston chamber 122, the piston 120 slidably positioned within the piston cylinder 108 may include a seal surrounding the piston 120 therebetween. This seal prevents gas or liquid from leaking out of the environment into or out of the piston chamber 122 while allowing the piston 120 to still slide within the piston chamber 122. ing.

Suction and discharge ports valve 124 and 126, the gas or liquid to flow into the piston chamber 122, and a one-way flow device to permit each from flowing out therefrom. It should be understood that these valves 124, 126 can be positioned at various locations on the piston-cylinder cap 110 if the desired pressure within the piston chamber 122 can be achieved.

  Since the movement of the buoyancy block 114 in the buoyancy cylinder 104 can be hindered by friction or other elements entering the buoyancy cylinder 104, a plurality of shims 140 can be coupled to the inner surface of the buoyancy cylinder 140. These shims 140 extend in the axial direction along the periphery of the buoyancy cylinder 104 and further serve to stabilize the orientation of the buoyancy block 114 inside the buoyancy cylinder. The shims 140 can be made from a suitable material so that the coefficient of friction between these shims 140 and the buoyancy block 114 approaches zero.

  In order to limit the axial movement of the buoyancy block 114 inside the buoyancy cylinder 104, a plurality of stops 142 can be provided on the inner surface of the buoyancy cylinder 104 and arranged in the lower part thereof. The positioning of the stop 142 can be adjusted to match the desired stroke length of the piston 120 within the piston cylinder 108.

  It should be understood that the axial movement of the buoyancy block 114 in the buoyancy cylinder 104 translates to the axial movement of the piston 120 within the piston cylinder 108 via the piston shaft 116. The piston shaft 116 and the coupling joint 136 further fix the position of the piston 120 with respect to the buoyancy block 114.

  Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, a typical buoyancy block 300 is shown in a top view, a side view, and an isometric view, respectively. The buoyancy block 300 has a shaft opening 302 that receives a coupling joint 136 (FIG. 2B) and thereby is coupled to the piston shaft 116 (FIG. 1). The upper portion 304 tapers radially inward from the periphery of the buoyancy block 300 and terminates at the shaft opening 302. The taper on the upper portion 304 assists in axial movement of the buoyancy block 300, particularly when the buoyancy block 300 is submerged and moving toward the water surface. Although this upper portion 304 is shown separated from the lower portion 306 of the buoyancy block 300, this taper begins from any portion of the buoyancy block 300 to facilitate axial movement of the buoyancy block 300 in water. It should be understood that it may terminate at the axial opening 302.

  Referring now to FIG. 3D, a partial cross-section of an alternative exemplary buoyancy block 350 is shown. The buoyancy block 350 has an upper portion 352 and a lower portion 354. The upper portion 352 includes a radially tapered portion 356 to facilitate axial movement of the buoyancy block 350 in water and a non-tapered portion 358 coupled to the tapered portion 356. A thread 360 is formed on the inner circumference of the upper portion 352 of the buoyancy block 350.

  The lower part 354 of the buoyancy block is generally cylindrical, and a plurality of threads 362 are formed on the outer periphery of the lower part 354. The thread 362 of the lower part 354 meshes with the thread 360 of the upper part 352 so that the lower part 354 can move axially relative to the upper part 352.

  Movement of the lower portion 354 relative to the upper portion 352 is achieved through the use of a motor 364. The motor 364 is coupled to the lower portion 354 on the upper surface 365 of the lower portion 354. Drive shaft 366 couples motor 364 to upper portion 365 and rotates lower portion 354 in a predetermined direction, thereby telescoping buoyancy block 350. When the lower portion 354 is telescopically expanded and contracted, the height of the buoyancy block 350 increases or decreases, thereby increasing or decreasing the buoyancy of the buoyancy block 350. It should be understood that the diameter of the buoyancy block 350 can be adjusted using similar methods.

  Referring now to FIGS. 3E and 3F together, a top view of a typical adjustable buoyancy block base 370 is shown. The adjustable block base 370 includes an outer plate 372, an inner plate 374 connected to the outer plates 372, a motor 376 connected to the gear 378 and arranged in the axial direction, and a gear 378 and an outer plate 372. A plurality of expansion bars 380 connected to each other is provided. The periphery of the buoyancy block base 370 is sealed with plastic, thermoplastic, or other sealing material 382, such as rubber. As such, the sealing material 382 prevents environmental material from entering the buoyancy block base 370.

  The outer plate 372 is connected to the inner plate 374 via a roller 384. These rollers 384 allow the outer plate 372 to move relative to the inner plate 374. Guides for the rollers 384 can be positioned on the respective surfaces of the outer and inner plates 372, 374.

  The motor 376 is axially positioned within the buoyancy block base 370 and is powered by a suitable power source. The motor 376 is connected to the gear 378 so that the gear 378 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise when the motor 376 is driven.

  The gear 378 expands or contracts the diameter of the buoyancy block base 370 by moving the outer plate 372 relative to the inner plate 374 via the roller 384 when the gear 378 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Are connected to the expansion bar 380 so as to provide each of them.

For example, FIG. 3E shows that the buoyancy block base 370 is in a retracted position having the diameter illustrated by D ₁ . When the motor 376 is driven to rotate the gear 378 in a clockwise direction, and correspondingly rotates extension bar 380, whereby, as illustrated by the shown and D ₂ in FIG. 3F, the buoyancy block Enlarge the diameter of the base 380. The thermoplastic material 382 also expands in correlation with the increase in the buoyancy block diameter. Accordingly, when used in a buoyancy pump device, the buoyancy block base 370 expands or contracts in the radial direction to increase or decrease the diameter of the accompanying buoyancy block. While the buoyancy block base 370 is shown in a generally cylindrical configuration, it should be understood that other configurations are possible depending on the design and requirements of the buoyancy pump device.

  Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the buoyancy pump device 100 is shown in various positions as the wave (W) passes through the buoyancy chamber 112 (FIG. 1). The wave (W) passing through the buoyancy pump device 100 has geometric features including:

The wave height (W _H ) is the vertical distance between the wave crest (C) or high point and the wave trough (T) or low point,
Wavelength (W _L ) is the distance between equivalent points on the wave (eg, peak-to-peak or valley-to-valley), and still water level (S _WL ) is the surface of the water where no waves are present, It is the midpoint of (W _H ).

In FIG. 4A, the buoyancy block 114 is shown in the highest vertical position of the block supported by the crest (C ₁ ) of the wave (W) when fluid is output from the outlet valve 126. As the wave (W) passes through the buoyancy chamber 112 for a distance of about one-half (1/2) of the wavelength (W _L ) as shown in FIG. 4B, the buoyancy block 114 causes fluid to flow from the suction valve 124. While retracting, it falls to the lowest vertical position of the block in the trough (T) of the wave (W). In FIG. 4C, the wave (W) is one full wavelength (W _L ) so that the buoyancy block 114 returns to the highest vertical position on the next peak (C ₂ ) and fluid is again output from the outlet valve 126. Have finished moving.

The piston stroke (P _s ) (not shown) of the buoyancy pump device 100 is defined as the distance that the buoyancy block 114 moves the piston 120 when the wave (W) passes through the buoyancy chamber 112 for one wavelength (W _L ). Is done. When the wave (W) passes through the buoyancy chamber 112, the buoyancy block 114 drops a distance (B _D ) equal to the wave height from the top position (C ₁ ) of FIG. 4A to the position of the valley (T) of FIG. 4B. Then, the same distance ( _BR ) is increased from the position of the valley (T) in FIG. 4B to the position of the top (C ₂ ) in FIG. 4C. Thus, the piston stroke (P _s ) is equal to twice the wave height (W _H ).

P _s = B _D + B _R = 2W _H
Accordingly, the piston 120 has a “half-stroke” descent and a “half-stroke” rise (also referred to as a “falling stroke” and a “lifting stroke”), respectively.

Waves, it as it passes through the buoyancy pump device 100, having a given wave height W _H and wave period W _P. Buoyancy pump device 100 has a piston stroke P _S defined by the piston moves over one complete wave period W _P. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, when a wave traverses the buoyancy pump device 100, the buoyancy block moves in direct correlation with the passing wave.

When the buoyancy pump device 100 is in the zero pressure condition, the buoyancy block 114, the maximum distance resulting from the wave motion, i.e., it is possible to move the P s _maximum = 2W _L. This translates into a full half stroke movement of the piston 120 in the piston cylinder 108, thereby pushing fluid out of the piston chamber through the valve.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, in operation, after the buoyancy pump device 100 is initially placed in a body of water, such as the ocean, lake, river, or other environment that produces waves or swells, the outlet conduit 130, discharge, The initial pressure in the outlet valve 126 and the piston chamber 122 starts from a zero pressure state. A wave having the recognized characteristics reaches the buoyancy pump device 100. Water from the waves gradually increases and fills the buoyancy chamber 112. As the water fills the buoyancy chamber 112, the buoyancy block 114 begins to rise as the water in the buoyancy chamber 112 rises.

  The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 is designed so that most of the buoyancy block 114 comes out of the water inside the buoyancy chamber 112 and floats relatively high, so that the buoyancy block 114 can move axially within the buoyancy chamber 112. As the waves leave, the buoyancy block 114 descends with the sinking water in the buoyancy chamber 112 and by gravity. The piston shaft 116 translates the movement of the buoyancy block 114 to the piston 120.

  At the other end of the spectrum, when the buoyancy pump device 100 begins at the maximum pressure in the outlet line 130 and outlet valve 130, the majority of the buoyancy block 114 is in fact in the water in which the buoyancy pump device 100 is located. You will be overwhelmed. This results in a reduction in the stroke length of the piston 120 that passes through the piston chamber 122.

  As a given wave or swell passes, gravity exerts a force on the lowering stroke of the buoyancy block 114 and the piston 120. As a given wave or swell rises, the buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 applies a lifting force / power to the piston 120 via the piston shaft 116. When the pressure of the piston 120 from the discharge port valve 126 is low, the lift force of the required buoyancy is correlated only with the back pressure transmitted into the piston chamber 122 via the discharge port valve 126, so that the buoyancy block 114 is buoyant. Float relatively high in indoor water.

  When the pressure of the piston is high, the axial movement of the buoyancy block 114 inside the buoyancy chamber is limited, and the buoyancy block 114 floats low in water. Under certain high pressure conditions in the piston chamber 122, the buoyancy block 114 may be almost completely submerged, but still pivots within the buoyancy chamber to pump liquid or gas inside the piston chamber 122. Eventually, the pressure from the outlet valve 126 can be so great that the buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 provides sufficient lifting force to move the piston 120 even when fully submerged. Can not do it. At this point, the buoyancy block 114 and the piston 120 stop moving even when waves or swells continue to rise relative to the buoyancy pump device 100.

  For example, in a buoyancy pump device deployed at maximum pressure with a 1 foot high buoyancy block, the buoyancy pump device will lose about 1 foot of pump stroke inside the piston cylinder. If there is only one foot wave, the buoyancy pump device will not pump.

  If such a point is not reached, the buoyancy block 114 and the piston 120 will continue to pivot with the rise of these waves or undulations until a given wave or undulation reaches its maximum height, respectively. Can move the liquid or gas in the piston chamber 122 through the discharge valve 126. This process is maintained until the maximum compression point in the piston chamber 122 is reached, but outward flow is still possible.

  When the buoyancy block 114 is almost submerged or is still submerged, it is called the high water line of the buoyancy pump device 100. When a wave or swell passes, the lowest point of descent of the buoyancy block 114 is referred to as the low water line of the buoyancy pump device 100. The distance between the high water line and the low water line determines the work stroke of the piston 120.

  For example, when gas is the medium to be pumped, an inlet line 128 that is adjustable to connect to a gas source is located at a point that communicates with and receives gas from a gaseous environment such as ambient air. The The outlet line 130 can be connected to a base 102 for storing compressed gas. It should be understood that the outlet line 130 can be connected to another location for storing gas, such as a fixed storage tank located outside the buoyancy pump device 100.

  In the gas embodiment, when the piston 120 descends with the wave that sinks, it creates a vacuum in the piston chamber 122 and passes the gas into the piston chamber 122 via the inlet line 128 and the inlet valve 124. Pull in. At the time of the wave valley and after the water is drained from the buoyancy chamber 112 or when the buoyancy block 114 contacts the stop 142 that prevents further downward movement of the buoyancy block 114 and the piston 120, the maximum amount of gas is The piston chamber 122 is filled.

  As the wave begins to rise and the water gradually increases to fill the buoyancy chamber 112, the buoyancy block 114 is exposed to and contacts the water. The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 will naturally lift the buoyancy block 114 in response to water rising within the buoyancy chamber 112. Since the position of the buoyancy block 114 is fixed with respect to the piston 120 driven by the piston shaft 116, the piston 120 rises in direct correlation with the lifting of the buoyancy block 114.

  The gas introduced into the piston chamber 122 undergoes compression within the piston chamber 122 until the pressure of the compressed gas overcomes the line pressure in the outlet line 130 when the buoyancy block 114 rises. At this point, the gas passes through the outlet valve 126 and outlet line 130 and is delivered to the desired location for use or storage. For example, the compressed gas is stored using the typical base 102 or other storage location described above. It is also conceivable that the gas can be dissipated into the atmosphere depending on the situation.

  When the wave passes through the buoyancy pump device 100 and the wave reaches its maximum height, the water begins to exit the buoyancy chamber 112. Gravity pushes the buoyancy block 114 down with the waves, causing downward movement of the piston 120, which creates a vacuum in the piston chamber 122. This vacuum, as explained above, again draws gas into the piston chamber 122 and repeats this process for each successive wave, thereby driving the buoyancy pump device 100 to cause the gas to continuously and periodically. Into the piston chamber 122, compresses the gas in the piston chamber 122, and pushes the gas from the piston chamber 122 into the base 102. The piston 120 further compresses the gas stored in the substrate 102 at each cycle until the buoyancy block 114 can no longer overcome the stored gas and the pressure in the outlet line 130. At this point, the buoyancy block 114 no longer rises against the wave.

  In another embodiment, inlet line 128 is connected to a liquid environment, such as water, when liquid is the medium to be pumped. The outlet conduit 130 can be connected to a water reservoir including, but not limited to, a lake bottom, a water tower, or other water supply system. When an incompressible liquid such as water is being pumped, once the incompressible liquid is completely filled in the piston chamber 122, the buoyancy pump device 100 performs a pumping action. It is not necessary to adjust.

  In the liquid embodiment, the lowering of the piston 120 correspondingly creates a vacuum in the piston chamber 122, thereby drawing water into the piston chamber 122 via the inlet line 128 and the inlet valve 124. Lead. At the time of the wave valley and when water is drained from the buoyancy chamber 122 or when the buoyancy block 114 contacts a stop 142 that prevents further downward movement of the buoyancy block 114, the maximum amount of liquid is in the piston chamber 122. Meet.

  As the wave begins to rise and the water gradually increases to fill the buoyancy chamber 112, the buoyancy block 114 is exposed to and contacts the water. The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 114 will naturally lift the buoyancy block 114 in response to water that gradually rises inside the buoyancy chamber 112. Due to the fixing of the buoyancy block 114 to the piston 120 driven by the piston shaft 116, the piston 120 gradually rises in direct correlation with the lifting of the buoyancy block 114. In the case where the medium is water, the incompressible water rising inside the piston chamber 122 overcomes the line pressure in the discharge port line 130. At this point, water passes through outlet valve 126 and outlet line 130 and is delivered to the desired location for use or storage. It is conceivable that liquids and / or gases can be dissipated into the atmosphere depending on the situation.

  As the wave reaches its maximum height as it passes through and away from the buoyancy pump device 100, the water begins to gradually exit the buoyancy chamber 112. Gravity pushes down the buoyancy block 114, causing downward movement of the piston 120 and vacuum in the piston chamber 122. This vacuum serves to draw liquid and / or gas into the piston chamber 122. This process is repeated for each successive wave, thereby driving the buoyancy pump device 100 to draw liquid and / or gas continuously and periodically into the piston chamber 122 and drawing liquid and / or gas into the piston. Pump out from the interior 122.

  In the liquid embodiment, it should be understood that the loss of lifting force of the buoyancy must take into account factors due to the weight of water / liquid present within the piston chamber 122. However, in the gas embodiment, such a loss is virtually non-existent due to the property that the gas is relatively light relative to the liquid. The loss in such liquid embodiments can be overcome by the adjustable characteristics of the buoyancy block 114.

  The operation of the buoyancy pump device 100 depends on the environment in which it is used. For example, when the buoyancy pump device 100 is placed in the ocean having a predetermined annual frequency average, the buoyancy pump device 100 is structured against the waves so that the buoyancy pump device 100 maintains its relative position to the waves. Must be coupled to or positioned by ballast. Such structures can be fixed or substantially fixed, or can include a direct connection of the buoyancy pump device 100 to a marine vessel, platform type arrangement, or ocean floor. Such connections are particularly common in the oil and gas industry and are contemplated to be used in conjunction with the new buoyancy pump apparatus 100 according to the principles of the present invention.

  The lifting force due to buoyancy for driving the piston inside the piston / cylinder via the piston shaft directly correlates with the lifting ability of the buoyancy block. Theoretically, for example, if the total evacuation amount of the buoyancy block is 100 pounds, the total evacuation amount (100 pounds), buoyancy block weight (10 pounds), piston shaft, coupling device, other miscellaneous parts (5 pounds) ) And the piston weight (2.5 lbs) is subtracted, leaving a lifting capacity of 82.5 lbs. Demonstration tests of the buoyancy pump device 100 operate with an efficiency of about 96% for this formula.

  It is contemplated that the buoyancy pump device 100 can be used to self-calibrate its position relative to the ocean floor, thereby maintaining a generally stable position relative to the wave environment in which the device is located. For example, a ballast tank can be coupled to the buoyancy pump device 100 and filled with a suitable ballast. The buoyancy pump device 100 can pump gas or liquid into the ballast tank and thereby adjust the position of the buoyancy pump device 100 relative to the wave environment. Such a configuration can be realized by providing a control device for coupling the discharge port line 130 of the buoyancy pump device 100 to the ballast tank and adjusting inflow / outflow with respect to the ballast tank under predetermined conditions. . Both gas and liquid can be used depending on the desired position adjustment of the buoyancy pump device 100.

  Adjustments to the length and width (diameter) of piston 120 are also contemplated to accommodate pumping media or piston 120 characteristics, buoyancy chamber 112, and buoyancy block 114. The piston 120 can also be provided with a telescoping adjustment device or the like thereon to adjust the height or width of the piston 120, similar to the buoyancy block 300 (see FIGS. 3A-3C). is there.

  For example, the flow rate and pressure setting inside the buoyancy pump device 100 correlate with the inner diameter and height of the piston / cylinder 108. The larger the piston cylinder 108 and the longer the piston stroke inside the piston cylinder 108, the more liquid or gas flow with minimal pressure is realized. The smaller the piston / cylinder 108 and the shorter the piston stroke inside the piston / cylinder 108, the maximum pressure is present in the liquid or gas flow and the minimum amount of liquid or gas flow is achieved. The

  The loss due to friction is related to the length and size of other materials, including the inlet line 128 and outlet line 130, and inlet and outlet valves 124, 126, so even a little. It is recognized that you get.

  The size of the buoyancy chamber 112 and the buoyancy block 114 can also be adjusted to provide maximum efficiency of the buoyancy pump device. Such adjustments can be performed remotely, for example, by manual replacement of parts, automatically by providing nested parts on each component, or by configuring a control system to adjust desired component characteristics. Can be implemented. In this manner, the buoyancy pump device 100 can function for waves having various characteristics so that the buoyancy pump apparatus 100 can utilize large waves, small waves, and waves having more gentle characteristics. It can be calibrated.

  In order to use these waves, the buoyancy pump device 100 does not necessarily have to be fixed to the base 102. Instead, the buoyancy pump device, for example, can be attached to the bottom of the water area, fixed to a structure attached to the bottom of the water area, fixed to a rigid floating platform, fixed to a tide wall, Or any other mounting location that provides a stable platform or equivalent.

  The size of the buoyancy pump device 100 and the function of the buoyancy pump device 100 as a function of the amount of energy in the wave or swell can be determined by several factors. For example, these factors include high annual frequency, low annual frequency, and average annual frequency size; high annual tide, low annual tide, and average annual tide level; average period of wave or swell; The depth of the liquid at the wave or swell location; the distance from the shore to the wave or swell; the topography in the immediate vicinity of the wave or swell location; and the structure of the buoyancy pump device 100. It is contemplated that the buoyancy pump device 100 may be used in combination with other buoyancy pump devices in a grid fashion and with these pumps a greater amount of gas or liquid can be pumped.

In order to determine the horsepower generated from a given wave height and velocity, the wave horsepower (potential energy) and the horsepower of the buoyancy block in the falling and lifting configuration were calculated. From this data, the piston pumping horsepower was then calculated for the water and air pumping structures. These calculations are described below according to a typical test configuration.
Example A: Low wave size Wave Horsepower Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D in more detail, the wave horsepower (wave HP) is determined for a wave (W) traveling over a distance of one-half wavelength (1 / 2W _L ) as follows: .

Wave HP = [(W _V ) (D) / (HP)] (W _S )
Where
W _V (wave volume) = (W _W ) (W _D ) (W _H ) (gallon water / cubic foot)
W _W = Wave width (1/2 W _L ) = 17.5 feet W _D = Wave depth = 17.5 feet W _H = Wave height = 5 feet and D = Water density (8.33 lbs) /gallon)
And HP = horsepower unit (550)
And W _S = wave velocity (1/2 W _L / W _T )
And W _T = 1/2 W _L Wave time (7.953 seconds) for moving.

For example, assume that the wave depth (W _D ) is equal to the wave width (W _W ) so that the cross section of the wave (W) is completely covered by the cylindrical buoyancy block 114 ′. For the exemplary numbers shown above, the calculation is as follows.

Wave HP = [(11,453 gallons) (8.33 lb / gallon) / (550)] (2.2 ft / sec) = 382
Where
W _V = (1,531 cubic feet) (7.481 gallons / cubic foot) = 11,453 gallons and W _S = (17.5 feet) / (7.953 seconds) = 2.2 feet / second is there.

2. Drop HP of buoyancy block
When the wave (W) passes through the buoyancy chamber 104 during the fall stroke (FIGS. 4A and 4B), the buoyancy block 104 falls into the valley (T) by gravity. The horsepower of the buoyancy block generated during the falling stroke (BB _D ) can be obtained from the following equation.

BB _D = [(BB _V ) (D) (WR) / HP] (DS _S ) (TR _D )
Where
BB _V (volume of buoyancy block) = (VB + VC) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot)
VB = volume of base 114′a = πr ₁ ² h ₁
VC = pyramidal 114'b volume ^{_{= (πh 2/12) (}} d 1 2 + d 1 d 2 + d 2 2)
And (BB _V ) (D) = excluded weight of buoyancy block 114 ′ where D = density of water (8.33 bonds / gallon)
And WR = weight ratio of water to buoyancy block 114 'material and HP = horsepower unit (550)
And DS _S = falling stroke speed = B _D / T _D
In the above equation, B _D = stroke travel distance when falling
T _D = time to travel the distance B _D and TR _D = time ratio (ie, the ratio of time the buoyancy block falls during one wave period)
= 50% (assuming symmetrical long waves)
Continuing with the exemplary data set forth above in connection with the calculation of the wave HP, calculations on BB _D is as follows.

BB _D = [(4,186 gallons) (8.333 lb / gallon) (0.10) / 550] (0.25 ft / sec) (0.5)
= 0.79 HP
(That is, the horsepower obtained from the falling process of the buoyancy block)
Where
BB _V = (BV + VC) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot)
^{_{= Π 1 2 h 1 + (}} πh 2/12) (d 1 2 + d 1 d 2 + d 2 2) (7.48 gal / ft)
And d ₁ = 17.5 feet; r ₁ = 8.75 feet
d ₂ = 3.5 feet
h ₁ = 1.5 feet
h ₂ = 2.0 feet Therefore
BB _V = [π (8.75) ² (1.5) + (π (2.0 / 12) (17.5 ² + (17.5) (3.5) +3.5 ² )] (7 48 gallons / cubic foot)
= (361 cubic feet + 199 cubic feet) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot)
= (560 cubic feet) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot) = 4,186 gallons,
And DS _S = (1.00 ft) / (3.976 s) = 0.25 ft / s and (BB _V ) (D) = 34,874 pounds (total excluded)
And (BB _V ) (D) (WS) = 3,487 (available weight)
2b. If during stroke lifting horsepower lift buoyancy block waves (Fig. 4B and 4C) (W) continues to pass through the buoyancy chamber 104, the buoyancy block 104 rises with it until it reaches a maximum at Namigaitadaki (C ₂₎ To do. The lifting horsepower (BB _L ) of the buoyancy block generated during the lifting stroke can be obtained from the following equation.

BB _L = [(BB _V ) (D) (1-WR) / HP] (LS _S ) (TR _R )
Where
LS _S = lifting stroke speed = B _R / T _R
B _R = rise time of stroke movement distance = 1 ft T _R = distance _{B R} time to move = 4.0 sec and TR _R = Time Ratio (i.e., the buoyancy block rises during a wave period Time ratio)
= 50% (assuming symmetrical long waves)
(BB _V ) (D) (1-WR) = Available weight during lifting stroke (UW _L ) = 31,382 pounds
BB _L = [(31,382 pounds) / 550] (1 foot / 4.0 seconds) (0.5) = 7.13 HP
2c. Total Input Horsepower Therefore, the total input horsepower amount (BB _T ) drawn from the wave by the buoyancy block is:

BB _T = BB _D + BB _L
Using the above exemplary numbers described above, the total input power for the buoyancy block 114 'is:

BB _T = 0.79 + 7.13 = 7.92 HP
3. Piston pumping capacity When the buoyancy pump device is configured to pump water according to the following equation, the piston is given a given rate in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and every half (1/2) stroke and Pump water at a given pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI).

PF = Water flow rate of piston = (S _V ) (SPM) (BP _efficiency )
Where
S _V = Volume per 1/2 stroke = (π / 2) (piston radius) ² (stroke length)
= (Π / 2) (8.925 inches) ² (12 inches) / (1,728 cubic inches / cubic foot)
= 1.74 cubic feet and SPM = strokes per minute = 7.54 strokes / minute and BP _efficiency = demonstration test efficiency of exemplary buoyancy pump device = 83%
Therefore,
PF = (1.74 cubic feet) (7.54 stroke / min) (.83)
= 10.88 CFM = 0.181 CFS.

  The piston water pressure (PSI) (PP) for each half (1/2) stroke in the buoyancy pump device is obtained by the following equation.

_{PP = {UW L - [(} S V) (D) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot)]} / SA _P
Where
UW _L = 1 Usable weight during lifting stroke = 31,386 pounds S _V = 1.74 cubic feet D = Water density (8.33 pounds / gallon)
And SA _P = piston surface area (in 2)
= Π (8.925 inches) ² = 250 square inches Thus, in the example numbers above, the PSI / stroke for the example buoyancy pump device is calculated as follows:

PP = [31,386 pounds- (1.74 cubic feet) (8.33 pounds / gallon) (7.48 gallons / cubic foot)] / 250 square inches = (31,386 pounds-108 pounds) / 250 square Inch = 125 PSI / stroke When the buoyancy pump device is configured to pump air, the piston surface area is increased to compensate for the air compressibility to achieve a similar result. When the piston radius is increased 12.6 inches piston surface area (SA _P) increases to 498.76 square inches. Also, the additional weight of water above the piston [(SV) (D) (7.48 gallons / square foot) = 108 pounds] is removed, so when calculating the piston air pressure (PP _a ) Not subtracted from the available weight (UW _L ). All other members remain the same, and the piston air flow rate (PF _a ) and piston air pressure (PP _a ) will have the following values:

PF _a = 21.7 CFM
The difference between whether PP _a = 51.8 PSI / stroke piston is used to pump water or air is easily understood by those skilled in the art, so the remaining examples are Focus on pumping water.

4). Available generator power horsepower When a typical buoyancy pump device in a pumping configuration is connected to a typical water tank for use in powering a typical hydro turbine, the following: The power generated by the buoyancy pump device is measured using the empirical formula.

BP = {(PP) (BP _efficiency ) (head)-[(loss) (head) (piping feet / section)]} [(PF) (T _efficiency ) (KW) / HP]
Where
BP _efficiency = verified buoyancy pump efficiency = 88%
Head = PSI to head (feet) conversion factor = 2.310
Loss = Pipe loss efficiency factor = 0.068
Piping feet / section = one pipe has a length of 100 feet and 10 pipes = one section of piping;
Therefore, 1 mile piping = 5.280 piping T _efficiency = Conversion efficiency based on existing hydro turbine = 90%
KW = conversion factor for conversion from feet / second to KW = 11.8
HP = conversion coefficient for conversion from KW to HP =. 746,
Thus, using the above exemplary numbers in combination with prior art calculations, the output BP for a typical power system utilizing a buoyancy pump device is:

BP = {[(125) (. 88) (2.310)]-[(0.068) (2.310) (10) (5.280)]} [(0.181) (0.9 / 11.8) /. 746]
=. 4558 (total output available HP)
Using the above numbers when the buoyancy pump device is configured to pump air, the output power (BP _a ) for _a typical system would be about 2.72 HP. Rather than using a hydro turbine to generate output power, an air turbine may be used, including, for example, those disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,555,728, which is incorporated herein by reference. .

5. Input HP vs. Output HP Efficiency Accordingly, the conversion efficiency from the input HP to the output HP is obtained according to the following equation.

Conversion efficiency = BP / BB _T = 4.558 / 7.92 = 57%
Thus, using empirical and theoretical data, a typical buoyancy pump device according to the principles of the present invention, when used in conjunction with a typical hydro turbine, has a horsepower (BB _T ) drawn from passing waves of about It is understood that the output is converted to an output BP with a conversion efficiency of 57%, and this output can then be used as a power source.
Example B: Average Wave Size The above exemplary calculation shows that the buoyancy block has a fixed diameter (d ₁ ) depending on the geometry and height (h ₁ + h ₂ ) of a typical buoyancy block 114 ′ It was done using 114 '. It should be understood that the wave height (W _H ) varies for different locations and at different times throughout the year for each location. It is therefore desirable to reconfigure or adjust this buoyancy block based on the various wave features described above. In order to ensure high efficiency, the height and diameter of the buoyancy block 114 'can be adjusted. For example, the buoyancy block 114 ′ is designed to increase the height and associated diameter of its base 104 ′ a (h 1) to accommodate waves having a greater wave height (W _H ) as described below. It can be adjusted.

Assuming that the wave height (W _H ) increases from 5.0 feet to 9.016 feet (average size wave), enhances the overall performance of the buoyancy pump device in waters with larger undulations averaging 9 feet Thus, the height (h ₁ ) of the buoyancy block base is increased by 1.5 feet (see FIG. 4D), ie “warping” the buoyancy block. Correspondingly, the stroke length of the piston increases and the number of strokes increases as follows.

Stroke = 5.52
Piston stroke length = 42.2 inches
Assuming that S _V (volume / stroke) = 12.8 cubic feet, all other factors remain the same, and applying the above equation, the following table is created:

したがって、浮力ポンプの高さを１．５フィートだけ増大させると、浮力ブロックの持上げおよび落下の際に、より大きな馬力をもたらし、かつ全体的な効率が向上した例示的なシステムでは、より大きな出力馬力をもたらすことが分かる。基本的には、現場におけるより大きな波の利用可能性が、所与の箇所でより大きな流量（例えば、ＰＦ＝２７．９８ＣＦＭ）、したがってより多くの馬力出力（例えば、ＢＰ＝２０．３２ＨＰ）を生成するより大きな浮力ブロックおよびピストンを有する浮力ポンプの波力源となる。

Thus, increasing the height of the buoyancy pump by 1.5 feet results in greater horsepower when lifting and dropping the buoyancy block and higher output in an exemplary system with improved overall efficiency. It turns out to bring horsepower. Basically, the availability of a larger wave in the field will result in a higher flow rate (eg PF = 27.98 CFM) and therefore more horsepower output (eg BP = 20.32 HP) at a given location. It becomes the source of wave power for a buoyancy pump with a larger buoyancy block and piston to produce.

As noted above, the diameter (d ₁ ) of the buoyancy block 114 ′ (see FIG. 4D) can also be adjusted to accommodate larger waves in the field. The following table, i.e., Table 2, shows that when the wave velocity (W _S ) changes with respect to a specific wave height (W _H ) and the wave height changes with respect to a specific velocity, the buoyancy block diameter variation is obtained in horsepower (BB _The degree of influence on _T ) is illustrated.

表２に関するデータは、表に示した波高を有し、かつ低い波に関して時速３マイルで移動し、また高い波に関して時速８マイルで移動する波に基づいて作成された。上で説明した数式を使って低波および高波設定に関する馬力を計算した。浮力ブロックの直径および幅は、上で示しかつ説明したように、様々な波高および波の速度に対して浮力ポンプの効率を最大化するために、より大きな波環境で機能するように調整された。

The data for Table 2 was generated based on waves having the wave heights shown in the table and moving at 3 mph for low waves and moving at 8 mph for high waves. The horsepower for low and high wave settings was calculated using the formula described above. The diameter and width of the buoyancy block was adjusted to work in a larger wave environment to maximize the efficiency of the buoyancy pump for various wave heights and wave velocities, as shown and described above. .

  The larger and faster the wave, swell, or flow, the more potential energy is available for extraction by the buoyancy pump device. Similarly, the greater the height or diameter of the buoyancy block, the greater the potential energy available for withdrawal from the water. The smaller and slower the wave, swell, or flow, the less potential energy is available for withdrawal from the water by the buoyancy pump device. Similarly, the smaller the buoyancy block, the less potential energy available to draw from the water. In order to maximize the available potential energy from the buoyancy pump device 100, the buoyancy block 114 should be fully submerged and therefore should not exceed the width or height of the wave or undulation arc.

  All of the above examples assume that a certain size wave is available at a particular site and on a daily basis so that the buoyancy pump device operates efficiently. Fortunately, for each day of the year, data on the wave height at a particular location is available at the web site http: // www. ndbc. noaa. Available from several sources, including gov. The following table (Table 3) illustrates wave data for January 2001 and February 2001 obtained from GRAYS HARBOR.

表３では、これらの波高は、日ごとの平均を入手するために月別の日ごとにそれぞれ測定された。波周期は月全体に関して平均され、同じ波周期を月別のそれぞれの日に対して使用した。２００１年１月に関して、５フィートの最低波高動作要件を有する例示的な浮力ポンプ装置であれば、合計動作日が３１日であった。２００１年２月に関しては、１４日および２５日には波の高さが５フィート未満であったので、例示的な浮力ポンプ装置では動作日が２６日間に過ぎなかった。

In Table 3, these wave heights were each measured on a day by month basis to obtain a daily average. Wave periods were averaged over the entire month and the same wave period was used for each day of the month. For January 2001, for an exemplary buoyancy pump device having a minimum foot height operating requirement of 5 feet, the total operating day was 31 days. For February 2001, the wave height was less than 5 feet on the 14th and 25th, so the exemplary buoyancy pump device had only 26 operating days.

  Referring now to Table 4, average wave height data is shown for January and February and then for one year (the remaining data for March to December 2001 is available on the website referenced above) Is possible).

このように１月および２月の動作日に関する波高の平均が、それぞれ９．８９フィートおよび７．６０フィートであることが求められた。２００１年１月および２月に関する年周動作波高は、５７日間の動作期間にわたる平均が８．７５フィートになった。暦年２００１では、８．５４フィートの平均動作波高を有する動作日数が２３６日であった。本明細書に開示された浮力ポンプ装置の使用者は、公に利用可能なデータを入手しかつ所与の浮力ポンプ装置構成に関して効果的な年周波高および動作日を求めることができる。

Thus, it was determined that the average wave heights for the January and February working days were 9.89 feet and 7.60 feet, respectively. Annual operating wave heights for January and February 2001 averaged 8.75 feet over a 57 day operating period. In calendar year 2001, there were 236 operating days with an average operating wave height of 8.54 feet. The user of the buoyancy pump device disclosed herein can obtain publicly available data and determine the effective annual frequency height and operating date for a given buoyancy pump device configuration.

  The components of the buoyancy pump device 100 need to be adapted to function in a seawater environment such as the ocean. Therefore, the components of the buoyancy pump device 100 must have antioxidant properties and / or must be corrosion resistant. In order to minimize the environmental impact, the inlet 126 of the piston chamber 122 that may be exposed to the surrounding environment can have a filter placed thereon for filtering to remove unwanted components. . In the case of seaweed or other septic material such as algae entering the buoyancy chamber 112 or buoyancy cylinder 104, the seagrass acts as a natural lubricant between the movable components of the buoyancy pump device 100. For example, as algae become sandwiched between the shim 140 and the buoyancy block 114, the algae reduces friction between the shim 140 and the buoyancy block 114, thereby increasing the efficiency of the buoyancy pump device.

  Referring now to FIG. 5, an elevational view of a buoyancy pump device 500 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. The buoyancy pump device 500 includes a base 502 and a buoyancy cylinder 504 having one end coupled to the base 502 and aligned substantially coaxially with the buoyancy cylinder 504 and closed at the other end by a buoyancy cylinder cap 506. The other end of the buoyancy cylinder 504 is open and exposed to the environment. The buoyancy cylinder 504 and the buoyancy cylinder cap 506 jointly define a buoyancy chamber 508 therein.

  A buoyancy block 510 having a substantially cylindrical shape is slidably positioned by the buoyancy chamber 508 and moves axially therein. It is understood that the buoyancy pump device 500 in this embodiment eliminates the need for the piston and the piston shaft when the buoyancy block of FIG. 1 is combined with the buoyancy block and the piston of FIG. It should be.

  An inlet valve 512 and an outlet valve 514 communicate with the buoyancy chamber 508 through the buoyancy cylinder cap 506 and allow gas or liquid to flow therethrough. A suction port conduit 516 and a discharge port conduit 518 are connected to the suction port valve 512 and the discharge port valve 514, respectively, so as to receive and discharge gas or liquid from the other end, respectively.

  Base 502 may have a plurality of legs 520 that extend toward bottom surface 522 of body of water 524. The support base 526 is coupled by these legs 520 to fix the buoyancy pump device 500 to the bottom surface 522. Base 502 couples to ballast tank 528 to maintain buoyancy pump device 500 in a fixed position relative to the environment.

  A ballast cap 530 that serves to further stabilize the buoyancy pump device 500 is positioned axially above the buoyancy cylinder cap 506. The ballast cap 530 passes through the ballast cap 530 so that the valves 512 and 514 and the pipe lines 516 and 518 can communicate with each other. Rather than a storage tank, this outlet line 518 can be connected to a flow line 532 to move gas or liquid passing through this flow line to a desired location (not shown).

  The buoyancy block 510 arranged inside the buoyancy chamber 508 has a predetermined buoyancy, and this buoyancy block 510 is based on the hydrodynamics of water in which the buoyancy pump device 500 is positioned and the hydraulic pressure or air pressure of the buoyancy pump device 500 itself. It moves with a period that matches the system characteristics. The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 510 can be adjusted in the manner described above. A stop 534 is disposed on the inner periphery of the lower end of the buoyancy cylinder 504 to prevent the buoyancy block 510 from being pulled out of the buoyancy cylinder 504. In the buoyancy block 510, a sealing body is formed around the periphery of the buoyancy block 510 in order to prevent communication between the buoyancy chamber 508 and the water 524.

  The inlet and outlet valves 512, 514 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the buoyancy chamber 508, respectively. It should be understood that the valves 512, 514 can be positioned at different locations if the desired pressure can be achieved within the buoyancy chamber 508.

  In operation, when a wave passes through the buoyancy pump device 500, water contacts the buoyancy block 510 through an opening in the buoyancy cylinder 504, consistent with the hydrodynamics of the water and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 500. The buoyancy block 510 is lifted at a cycle of Gas or liquid in the buoyancy chamber 508 is expelled or discharged into the flow line 532 via the discharge valve 514 and the discharge line 518. When the wave leaves the buoyancy pump device 500, the buoyancy block 510 gradually descends due to gravity and generates a vacuum inside the buoyancy chamber 508. Accordingly, gas or liquid enters the buoyancy chamber 508 via the suction pipe 516 and the suction valve 512. When the next continuous wave approaches, the gas or liquid drawn into the buoyancy chamber 508 rises with respect to the wave in the buoyancy block, so that the outlet valve 512 and the outlet pipe line 518 are correlated with the position. And is expelled again via flow line 532.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, an elevational view of yet another embodiment of a buoyancy pump device 600 is shown. The buoyancy pump device 600 includes a base 602, a buoyancy housing 604 coupled to the base 602, a buoyancy housing cap 606 coupled to the buoyancy housing 604, and a buoyancy coupled to the other end of the buoyancy housing 604. A housing base 608 is provided. A piston shaft 610 and a plurality of piston supports 612 are axially lowered from and connected to the buoyancy housing cap 606. A piston 614 is connected to the other end of the piston shaft 610 and the piston support 612. A buoyancy block 616 having a buoyancy block wall 618 extending toward the buoyancy housing cap 606 is positioned between the piston 614 and the buoyancy housing base 608. Buoyancy block 616, buoyancy block wall 618, and piston 614 form a piston chamber 620 therein. The buoyancy block wall 618 is slidably moved between the piston 614 and the buoyancy housing 604. The base 602 has a plurality of legs 622 that descend toward the bottom surface 624 of the water area 626. A base support 628 is coupled to these legs 622 and positioned on the bottom surface 624 of the water 626. The base support 628 is filled with a suitable ballast so as to maintain the position of the buoyancy pump device 600 at a constant position relative to the water 626.

  Buoyancy housing 604 includes four vertically extending struts 630 coupled to and positioned between buoyancy housing cap 606 and buoyancy housing base 608. In order to maintain the buoyancy block 616 within the buoyancy housing 604 and limit its axial movement, a plurality of stops 632 are positioned at the upper and lower portions of these struts 630, respectively. A ballast cap 634 is coupled to the top of the buoyancy housing 604 to assist in maintaining the buoyancy pump device 600 in a fixed position relative to the water 626. One surface of the buoyancy housing base 608 is connected to the discharge port valve 636 and the other surface is connected to the discharge port line 638. The buoyancy housing base 608 communicates between the discharge port valve 636 and the discharge port line 638. The outlet line 638 is essentially nested so that constant communication between the outlet valve 636 and the outlet line 638 is maintained even when the buoyancy block 616 moves relative to the buoyancy housing base 608. And is slidably received through the buoyancy housing base 608. Piston shaft 610 and piston support 612 are fixed relative to buoyancy housing cap 606 and piston 614 so as to maintain piston 614 in a fixed position relative to buoyancy housing cap 606.

  The piston 614 is connected to the inlet valve 640 so that the inlet valve 640 can communicate with the piston chamber 620. Inlet valve 640 is then coupled to inlet line 642 and may be in communication with piston chamber 620 and the desired source.

  The buoyancy block 616 and the buoyancy block wall 618 are slidable relative to the buoyancy housing 604 and the buoyancy housing column 630 so that the buoyancy block 616 and the buoyancy block wall 618 can move axially within the buoyancy housing 604. . The interface between the piston 614 and the buoyancy wall 618 is sealed such that the piston chamber 620 is below a fixed pressure relative to the axial movement of the buoyancy block 616 relative to the piston 614, thereby bringing its interior to a certain pressure. It is preferable that it can be maintained.

  The inlet and outlet valves 640, 636 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the piston chamber 620. It should be understood that these valves 640, 636 can be positioned at different locations on the buoyancy housing cap 606 and buoyancy housing base 608 if the desired pressure can be achieved within the piston chamber 620.

  In operation, when a wave having a predetermined characteristic approaches and contacts the buoyancy block 616 and the buoyancy block wall 618, the buoyancy block 616 and the buoyancy block wall 618 are in contact with the hydrodynamics of the water in which the buoyancy pump device 600 is positioned. The buoyancy pump device 600 moves axially upwards for a period consistent with the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 600 itself. The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 616 can be adjusted in the manner described above.

  Gas or liquid inside piston chamber 620 is expelled through outlet valve 636 and outlet line 638 and transported to the desired location via flow line 644 coupled to outlet line 638. The buoyancy block 616 pressurizes the gas or liquid in the piston chamber 620. As the wave leaves the buoyancy pump device 600, gravity pushes the buoyancy block 616 and the buoyancy block wall 618 downward, thereby creating a vacuum within the piston chamber 620. The gas or liquid is then drawn into piston chamber 620 via inlet line 642 and inlet valve 640 until the buoyancy block contacts the stop or reaches a wave trough. This process is repeated as the next wave periodically approaches the buoyancy pump device 600.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, an elevational view of yet another embodiment of a buoyancy pump device 700 is shown. The buoyancy pump device 700 includes a base 702, a buoyancy housing 704, a buoyancy housing cap 705 coupled to the buoyancy housing, a piston housing 706 coupled to the buoyancy housing cap 705, and a buoyancy housing 704. A buoyancy housing base 708 coupled to the end; a piston housing cap 710 coupled to the piston housing 706; and a ballast cap 712 positioned above and coupled to the piston housing cap 710. .

  A buoyancy block 714 is disposed axially within the buoyancy housing 704. The piston shaft 716 has one end connected to the upper surface of the buoyancy block 714 and the other end connected to a piston 718 disposed in the axial direction inside the piston housing 706. A piston chamber 719 is formed between the upper surface of the piston 718, the lower surface of the piston cap 710, and the piston housing 706.

  A suction port valve 720 and a discharge port valve 722 pass through the piston housing cap 710 and are connected to the piston chamber 719. The suction port valve 720 and the discharge port valve 722 pass through the ballast cap 712 and are connected to the suction port line 724 and the discharge port line 726, respectively.

  Base 702 has a plurality of legs 728 extending toward support base 730. The support base 730 is preferably seated on the bottom surface 732 of the water area 734.

  Buoyancy housing 704 has a plurality of buoyancy housing legs 736 extending toward and coupled to buoyancy housing base 708. Buoyancy housing legs 736 allow water 734 to pass through. A plurality of buoyancy block stops 738 are disposed at upper and lower locations on the inner surface of the buoyancy housing leg 736 to limit axial movement of the buoyancy block 714 within the buoyancy housing 704.

  Above the buoyancy housing base 708, a ballast tank 740 is positioned to maintain the position of the buoyancy pump device 700 relative to the water area 734. Further, the buoyancy housing base 708 is coupled to a flow line 742 that can penetrate the buoyancy housing base 708.

  The piston housing 706 is provided with a plurality of piston stops 744 at the lower end and inside of the piston housing 706 to limit axial movement of the piston 718 in the piston housing 706. Further, the piston housing 706 is configured such that the piston 718 can be slidably moved within the piston housing 706.

  The ballast cap 712 can be used to further stabilize the buoyancy pump device 700 against the water body 734 by having a predetermined ballast or variable ballast within the ballast cap 712.

  Adjustable buoyancy block 714 in the manner described above is limited by a period consistent with the hydrodynamics of water 734 in which buoyancy pump device 700 is positioned and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of buoyancy pump device 700 itself. As described above, the shaft is slidably moved inside the buoyancy housing 704.

  The piston shaft 716 is preferably rigid and maintains a fixed relationship between the piston 718 and the buoyancy block 714. The lower end of the piston 718 is exposed to water by the open end of the piston housing 706 positioned toward the buoyancy block 714. The piston 718 is preferably provided with a seal (not shown) around the periphery of the piston 718 to prevent leakage or oozing from the piston chamber 719 into the lower region of the piston. Therefore, the piston chamber is maintained in an isolated state from the external environment in this manner, and becomes an effective place for pumping gas or liquid in a pressure relationship therein.

  The inlet and outlet valves 720, 722 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the piston chamber 719. It should be understood that these valves 720, 722 can be positioned at different locations on the buoyancy housing cap 710 if the desired pressure can be achieved within the piston chamber 719.

  The inlet line 724 is adapted to be coupled into the desired gas or liquid, and thus provides a desirable source of gas or liquid to be pumped by the buoyancy pump device 700. Outlet line 726 is coupled to flow line 742 which in turn directs the flow to the desired location.

  In operation, when a wave approaches the buoyancy device 700, a buoyancy block 714 having a predetermined buoyancy is gradually raised with respect to the wave. Piston 718 moves in direct correlation with buoyancy block 714, thereby expelling gas or liquid from piston chamber 719 via outlet valve 722, outlet line 726, and flow line 742. As the wave leaves the buoyancy pump device 700, the buoyancy block 714 descends against the wave by the action of gravity. The piston 718 moving in direct correlation with the descent of the buoyancy block 714 is similarly lowered, thereby creating a vacuum within the piston chamber 719. Gas or liquid is drawn into the piston chamber 719 via the inlet line 724 and the inlet valve 720, thereby filling the piston chamber 719. This period continues to repeat in correlation with a period consistent with the hydrodynamics of the water and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 700 itself.

  Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary buoyancy pump device 800 according to the principles of the present invention. The buoyancy pump device 800 includes a base 802, a housing 804 coupled to the base 802, a housing cap 806 coupled to the housing 804, and a housing base 808 coupled to the other end of the housing 804. It has. A piston housing 810 is disposed axially in the lower portion of the housing 804. The piston housing 810 includes a piston housing cap 812 and a piston housing base 814. A piston housing ballast portion 816 is coupled to the lower portion of the piston housing 810.

  A buoyancy block 818 having a predetermined buoyancy is disposed inside the housing 804. A piston shaft 820 is connected to the lower end of the buoyancy block 818 and extends axially therefrom. A piston 822 is connected to the other end of the piston shaft 820. This piston 822 is adapted to move axially within the piston housing 810. Piston chamber 824 is formed by a lower surface of piston 822, piston housing base 814, and piston housing 810.

  An inlet valve 826 is connected through the piston housing base 814 and communicates with the piston chamber 824. Similarly, a discharge port valve 828 is connected to the piston housing base 814 and communicates with the piston chamber 824. The suction port conduit 830 and the discharge port conduit 832 are connected to the other ends of the suction port valve 826 and the discharge port valve 828, respectively.

  Base 802 includes support legs 834 that reach and connect to support base 836. The support base 836 comes into contact with the bottom surface 838 of the water area 840 and is stationary. A ballast tank 842 is coupled to the upper surface of the support base 836 to receive and / or discharge the ballast, thereby maintaining the position of the buoyancy pump device 800 relative to the water body 840.

  The housing 804 includes a plurality of housing legs 844 having one end connected to the housing base 808 and the other end connected to the housing cap 806. Water can flow freely between the housing legs 844.

  A flow tank 846 is connected to the inlet line 830 and the outlet line 832 and is positioned on the surface of the housing base 808. This flow tank 846 is further connected to a supply line 848 and a flow line 850. The flow tank 846 can control the flow rate of flow into and out of the piston chamber 824 and guide the outlet flow from the piston chamber 824 to the desired location via the flow line 850.

  The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 818 can be adjusted in the manner described above. The buoyancy block 818 is slidably axially moved within the housing 804 with a period consistent with the hydrodynamics of the water 840 in which the buoyancy pump device 800 is positioned and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 800 itself. It is made like that.

  The piston shaft 820 maintains the buoyancy block 818 and the piston 822 in a fixed relationship such that the buoyancy block 818 accommodates the movement of the piston 822.

  A plurality of buoyancy block stops 852 are positioned on the inside of the housing leg 844 so as to limit the axial movement of the buoyancy block 818 in the housing 804. Similarly, the piston housing 810 has a plurality of piston stops 853 on the inner surface of the piston housing 810 so as to limit the axial movement of the piston 822 therein.

  The inlet valve 826 and the outlet valve 828 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the piston chamber 834, respectively. It should be understood that these valves 826, 828 can be positioned at different locations on the piston housing base 814 if the desired pressure can be achieved within the piston chamber 824.

  In operation, as a wave having predetermined characteristics approaches the buoyancy device 800, the buoyancy block 818 and the piston 822 gradually rise. In response to a vacuum being generated within the piston chamber 824, whereby a source connected to the supply line 848 is drawn into the piston chamber 824 via the inlet line 830 and the inlet valve 826, Withdraw gas or liquid. When the waves leave the buoyancy pump device 800, gravity pushes the buoyancy piston axially, thereby compressing the gas or liquid inside the piston chamber 824, and the discharge valve 828, discharge line 832, flow tank 846, And the gas or liquid inside piston chamber 824 is discharged or expelled via flow line 850.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, an elevational view of one alternative embodiment of a typical buoyancy pump device 900 is shown. The buoyancy pump device 900 includes a base 902, a housing 904 coupled to the base 902, a housing cap 906, and a housing base 908. A housing ballast portion 909 is disposed above the housing cap 906 in the axial direction.

  A metalized piston 910 is disposed inside the housing 904 and moves axially within the housing 904. A plurality of magnetized buoyancy blocks 912 having a predetermined buoyancy are positioned outside the housing 904 and adjacent to the end of the piston 910. These magnetized buoyancy blocks 912 are positioned proximate to the metallized piston 910 so that the movement of the magnetized buoyancy block 912 corresponds to the movement of the metalized piston 910 inside the housing 904. The A guide track 911 is provided on the housing 904 to guide the movement of the magnetized buoyancy block 912 relative to the metalized piston 910. Piston chambers 913 a and 913 b are defined on both sides of the piston 910. To prevent fluid or liquid flow between the piston chambers 913a, 913b, a non-metallic seal 915 is placed on the outer surface of the metalized piston 910 between the metalized piston 910 and the housing 904. Arranged and combined.

  The first inlet valve 914 and the first outlet valve 916 pass through the housing cap 906 and are connected to the piston chamber 913a. The first inlet valve 914 and the first outlet valve 916 pass through the housing ballast portion 909 and are connected to the first inlet port line 918 and the first outlet port line 920, respectively.

  One end of the second inlet valve 922 and the second outlet valve 924 passes through the housing base 908 and is connected to the piston chamber 913b. The other ends of the second inlet valve 922 and the second outlet valve 924 are connected to the second inlet line 926 and the second outlet line 928, respectively.

  The base 902 includes a plurality of support legs 930 having one end coupled to the housing 904 and the other end coupled to the support base 932. The support base 932 comes into contact with the bottom surface 934 of the water area 936 where the buoyancy pump device 900 is disposed and is stationary.

  The housing 904 includes a plurality of stops 938 on the outer surface that limit axial movement of the magnetized buoyancy block 912. The outlet lines 920, 928 are connected to the flow line 940 and deliver the flow therein to the desired location.

  The magnetized buoyancy block 912 moves with a period consistent with the hydrodynamics of the water in which the buoyancy pump device 900 is positioned and the hydraulic or pneumatic system characteristics of the buoyancy pump device 900 itself. The buoyancy of the magnetized buoyancy block 912 can be adjusted by filling the magnetized block 912 with a predetermined fluid or solid or by expelling a predetermined fluid or solid from the magnetized buoyancy block 912. .

  The inlet valves 914 and 922 and the outlet valves 916 and 924 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the piston chambers 913a and 913b. For example, the first inlet valve 914 allows inflow into the piston chamber 913a, and the first outlet valve 916 allows outflow from the piston chamber 913a. The second suction port valve 922 and the second discharge port valve 924 allow inflow into and out of the piston chamber 913b. It should be understood that the first inlet valve 914 and the first outlet valve 916 can be positioned at different locations on the housing cap 906. Similarly, the second inlet valve 922 and the second outlet valve 924 can be positioned at different locations on the housing base 908 if a desired pressure can be achieved inside the piston chambers 913a, 913b.

  In operation, when a wave from the water area 946 leaves the buoyancy pump device 900, the magnetized buoyancy block 912 gradually descends due to gravity, thereby causing the metalized piston 910 to magnetically descend, thereby causing the interior of the piston chamber 913a. Generate a vacuum. At the same time, when the magnetized buoyancy block 912 and the metallized piston 910 fall, the gas or liquid inside the chamber 913b is compressed. The gas or liquid therein is discharged or expelled into the flow line 940 via the second discharge valve 924 and the second discharge line 928. In the piston chamber 913a, a vacuum draws gas or liquid from the first inlet port 918 into the piston chamber 913a via the first inlet valve 914.

  As the next wave approaches, the magnetized buoyancy block 912 and the metallized piston 910 rise gradually in magnetic interrelationship with the passing water 936, thereby causing a gas or liquid inside the piston chamber 913a. And expel gas or liquid into the flow line 940 via the first outlet valve 916 and the first outlet line 920. The piston chamber 913b is evacuated, thereby drawing gas or liquid into the piston chamber 913b via the second inlet port line 926 and the second inlet valve 922. This process is repeated periodically with each successive wave.

  If any pressure in the outlet valves 916, 924 impedes movement of the metallized piston 910, the magnetized buoyancy block 912 separates from the metallized piston 910 and waves. And re-engage with the metallized piston 910 in the next wave period.

  Referring now to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of an exemplary buoyancy pump device 1000 according to the principles of the present invention is shown. The buoyancy pump device 1000 includes a base 1002, a casing 1004 connected to the base 1002, a casing cap 1006 connected to the casing 1004, and a casing base 1008. A piston / cylinder 1010 is disposed within the housing 1004 and includes a piston cap 1012 and a piston / cylinder / ballast portion 1014 coupled to the piston / cylinder 1010 and disposed above the piston / cylinder cap 1012. . A piston 1016 moves axially within the piston / cylinder 1010. The buoyancy block 1018 is positioned in the axial direction by the casing 1004 above the piston / cylinder 1010 and moves axially within the casing 1004. A plurality of piston shafts 1020 extend from the lower surface of the piston 1016 and are connected to the lateral surface of the buoyancy block 1018.

  An inlet valve 1022 and an outlet valve 1024 pass through the piston / cylinder cap 1012 and are coupled to a piston chamber 1026 formed by the upper surface of the piston / cylinder cap 1012, piston / cylinder 1010, and piston 1016. . Suction port line 1028 and discharge line 1030 are connected to suction port valve 1022 and discharge port valve 1024, respectively. The inlet port 1028 and the outlet port 1030 pass through the piston / cylinder / ballast portion 1014.

  The base 1002 includes a support leg 1032 having one end connected to the lower portion of the housing 1004 and the other end connected to the support base 1034. The support base 1034 is configured to come into contact with the bottom surface 1036 of the water area 1038 so as to be stationary. A ballast tank 1040 is coupled to the upper portion of the support base 1034 to maintain the buoyancy pump device 1000 in a fixed position relative to the water body 1038.

  The housing 1004 includes a plurality of legs 1042 so that water 1038 can pass between these legs. The housing leg 1042 is connected to the housing base 1008. The housing 1004 further includes a plurality of stops 1045 formed on the inner surface of the housing legs 1042 to limit axial movement of the buoyancy block 1018 therein.

  A flow tank 1046 connected to the housing base 1008 is connected to the outlet conduit. The flow tank 1046 guides the flow received from the discharge port line 1030 and supplies the flow from the discharge port line 1040 to the flow line 1048.

  The end of the piston / cylinder 1010 facing the piston / cylinder cap 1012 is opened so that water can contact the bottom surface of the piston 1016. In order to prevent communication between the piston chamber 1026 and the water area 1038, a sealing body (not shown) is provided around the piston 1016.

  Adjustable piston 1016 in the manner described above is slidably axially movable within piston cylinder 1010. Since the piston 1016 and the buoyancy block 1018 are connected by the piston shaft 1020, the movement of the buoyancy block 1018 corresponds to the direct movement of the piston 1016.

  The buoyancy block 1018 has a predetermined buoyancy so that the buoyancy block 1018 moves at a cycle that matches the hydrodynamics of the water in which the buoyancy pump device 1000 is disposed. The buoyancy of the buoyancy block 1018 can be adjusted in the manner described above depending on the characteristics of the water and system and the hydrodynamics.

  The inlet and outlet valves 1022, 1024 are one-way flow devices that allow gas or liquid to flow into and out of the piston chamber 1026, respectively. It should be understood that these valves 1022, 1024 can be positioned at different locations on the piston-cylinder cap 1012 if the desired pressure within the piston chamber 1026 can be achieved.

  In operation, the buoyancy pump device 1000 is initially placed in a body of water, such as the ocean, lake, river, or other environment that produces waves, and then the initial in outlet conduit 1030, valve 1024, and piston chamber 1026. The pressure starts from a zero pressure condition. A wave having the recognized characteristics reaches the buoyancy pump device 1000. Water from the waves gradually raises the buoyancy block 1018, thereby lifting both the buoyancy block 1018 and the piston 1016. The gas or liquid introduced into the piston chamber 1026 begins to receive pressure until the pressure in the piston chamber 1026 overcomes the line pressure in the outlet line 1030. At this point, the gas or liquid flows through outlet valve 1024 and outlet line 1030 and is transferred via flow line 1048 to the desired location for utilization or storage.

  As the waves leave the buoyancy pump device 1000, gravity pushes down the buoyancy block 1018, which causes the piston 1016 to respond and axially move downward within the piston cylinder 1010. A vacuum is generated inside the piston chamber 1026, thereby drawing gas or liquid into the piston chamber 1026 via the inlet line 1028 and the inlet valve 1022. This period is repeated periodically with each successive wave.

  Referring now to FIG. 11, an exemplary side view of the buoyancy pump device 100 of FIG. 1 coupled to an exemplary aquaculture ring 1100 is shown. In this configuration, the aquaculture ring 1100 includes a plurality of ballast tanks 1110 concentrically arranged around the buoyancy pump device 100 and coupled thereto. The ballast tank 1110 is further connected to the adjacent ballast tank 1110 by a plurality of support lines 1120. The plurality of ballast tanks 1110 may be different in length and width to stabilize the buoyancy pump device 100 against waves approaching from a water area 1130 in which the buoyancy pump device 100 is positioned.

  The buoyancy pump device may be a modular structure that allows for mobility of the buoyancy pump device. The mobile buoyancy pump device can be assembled and disassembled at one location and assembled at another location. The mobility of such a buoyancy pump device can be a distinguishing feature from other non-mobile hydropower generation systems, such as a water-flow turbine that is permanently built in one place. Moreover, a group or site of mobile buoyancy pump devices can be relocated to supply power to various land or water applications (under the influence of fluctuating power demand). For example, a group of one or more buoyancy pump devices can be placed at a location on the water to support a military base that is deployed in a new area for an unknown period of time and then redeployed in a different area. A group of buoyancy pump devices can be deployed at virtually any location that has sufficient wave energy sources by waves that meet the specifications of these buoyancy pump devices.

FIG. 12A shows a typical structure formed from several buoyancy chamber rings 1200 to function substantially similar to the buoyancy cylinder 104 (see FIG. 1) of the buoyancy pump device shown in FIG. 12B. A typical buoyancy chamber ring 1200 is shown that can be used as a structural component to do so. The buoyancy pump device using the buoyancy chamber ring 1200 has a modular structure. The buoyancy chamber ring 1200 includes an outer ring 1202 and an inner ring 1204. Outer ring 1202 and the inner ring 1204 is concentric, and can be joined by a number of spacers to form a spacer pair 1206a from 120 6 d (collectively 1206). These spacer pairs 1206 can be configured in parallel and positioned symmetrically about the x and y axes. Spacer pair 1206 structurally supports outer ring 1202 and inner ring 1204. It is also possible to structurally support the outer ring 1202 and the inner ring 1204 using other structural and / or geometrical configurations of the spacer. For example, a truss configuration of spacers between the outer ring 1202 and the inner ring 1204 can be utilized.

  A guide ring cylinder 1210 is centrally located between these spacer pairs 1206 and can be coupled to each of the outer ring 1202 and the inner ring 1204. These guide ring cylinders 1210 can be utilized to position and support the buoyancy chamber ring 1200 on the pile 1216 (discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 12B). Each component of the buoyancy chamber ring 1200 can be constructed from a material that is resistant to environmental conditions present in the ocean or other environment, such as steel and / or glass fiber or plastic.

12B is a top perspective view taken along a cross section of a buoyancy chamber 104 (also see FIG. 1) for an exemplary buoyancy pump device 1212 utilizing the buoyancy chamber ring 1200 shown in FIG. 12A. The buoyancy chamber 104 has a plurality of buoyancy in the axial direction along eight piles or struts 1216 that can be mounted in a base (not shown) located on the bottom of the body of water and extending vertically therefrom. Formed by engaging the chamber ring 1200. Depending on the depth of the water area, each of the pile members 1216 can be composed of multiple segments. As shown, the pile material 1216 may pass through a guide ring cylinder 1210 positioned radially about the buoyancy chamber ring 1200.

  Tubular shims 1218 extending vertically from the base of the buoyancy pump device 1212 can be coupled to the inner ring 1204 in alignment with each of the spacers of the spacer pair 1206. Tubular shim 1218 is utilized as a guide for buoyancy block 1220 (partially shown). Buoyancy block 1220 may include or be coupled to a buoyancy ring 1222. The buoyancy ring 1222 engages or is guided by the tubular shim 1218 and maintains the alignment of the buoyancy block 1220 as it moves up and down within the buoyancy chamber 104. Due to the modular design, the buoyancy pump device 1212 can be constructed and disassembled for relocation purposes.

  FIG. 12C is another embodiment of a buoyancy chamber ring 1200 ′ configured as a cap for the buoyancy chamber 104. The buoyancy chamber ring 1200 ′ can be further configured to position the piston chamber 1224. The positioning spacer 1226 is substantially aligned with the spacer pair 1206 to form a rectangular region 1228 around the center point of the outer ring 1202 and the inner ring 1204. A rectangular guide block 1230 is positioned in this rectangular area 1228 and can be coupled to the positioning spacer 1226. The rectangular guide block 1230 can include an opening 1232 sized to pass through the piston chamber 1224 and retain the piston chamber 1214 therein by a coupling member (not shown). It is understood that this opening 1232 can be shaped and sized differently depending on the shape and size of the structural component (eg, piston chamber 1224) supported and aligned by the buoyancy chamber ring 1200 ′. It should be.

  FIG. 13 is a drawing of a system 1300 for dynamically determining and / or adjusting the size of a buoyancy block based on wave data, such a system being displayed on a display screen 1303 of a computing system 1304. A typical image 1301 of the typical buoyancy block 1302 is displayed. The computing system 1304 includes a processing device 1306 operable to execute software 1308. Software 1308 is used to calculate the dimensions and / or model behavior of the buoyancy block 1302 based on the historical wave data for the location in the body of water where the buoyancy pump device using the buoyancy block 1302 should be positioned. The software 1308 can comprise, for example, code or formula lines included in the spreadsheet software. The software 1308 includes algorithms with input parameters relating to wave history data and output mechanical specifications and system operating data.

  The computing system 1304 further includes a storage device 1310 coupled to the processing device 1306. This storage device can be used to store the program 1308 and the data created thereby. An input / output (I / O) device 1312 is coupled to the processing unit 1306 and uses it to send and receive data to and from the computing system 1304. Storage unit 1314 is connected to processing device 1306 and is operable to store database 1316. This database 1316 can store wave history data and other data relating to the configuration of one or more buoyancy pump devices for deployment. In one embodiment, database 1316 is a data file that contains data related to buoyancy block 1302.

  The computing system 1304 is connected to the network 1318 via the communication path 3120. In one embodiment, this network 1318 is the Internet. Alternatively, network 1318 may be a satellite communication system. The wave history data server 1322 maintains a database 1324 or other data file containing wave data collected by buoys from various locations in waters around the world as understood in the art. The wave data server 1322 is connected to the network 1318 via the communication path 1326 so that the computing system 1304 can access or retrieve the wave data stored in the database 1324. Wave data that is accessed by and retrieved from the wave data server 1322 by the computing system 1304 is manually, semi-automatically, or automatically included in the database 1316 to determine the size and / or model behavior of the buoyancy block 1302. Is available by software 1308 to create

  The image 1301 of the buoyancy block 1302 may further include various data fields to receive input parameters and / or display the calculation results in a display field to design the buoyancy block 1302. The designer of the buoyancy block 1302 uses these input parameters to enter information related to a specific or typical wave history over a period of time. Alternatively, these input parameters can be read from a data file stored in storage unit 1314 on wave data server 1322 or elsewhere and displayed on image 1301.

  When designing the buoyancy block 1302, the location and duration of installation should be taken into account. For example, if a buoyancy pump device is to be installed at a particular location for a period of time, such as three months, the designer may design the buoyancy block 1302 at these particular locations during those particular months. Low, maximum and average wave history can be entered. If the buoyancy pump is to be installed for a more permanent period, the low, maximum, and average wave histories can be entered over a longer period, such as five years, to determine the dimensions of the buoyancy block 1302.

The image 1301 may include input and output fields, including tables, grids, chart images, or other visual displays to assist the designer of the buoyancy pump device. During the design phase of the buoyancy pump device, the designer can perform the design process as discussed with respect to Examples A and B, Tables 1 to 4, and FIGS. 3A to 3F and 4D. In performing the design process, Example A (low wave size), Example B (average wave size), and Table 1 show various component (eg, buoyancy block) dimensions and system parameters (eg, horsepower). ) Provides an example for utilizing wave history data in computing. Dimensions such as buoyancy block volume (BB _V ), cone volume (VC), base volume (VB), and other dimensions can be calculated as a function of the wave history data. Table 2 describing buoyancy block diameter as a function of wave height (W _H ) can be used to determine both dimensions and system parameters. The results shown on the image 1301 can be displayed graphically, for example, with the elements and dimensions shown in FIGS. 3A-3F and 4D. It should be understood that a simpler or detailed graphical representation of elements of the buoyancy pump device can be calculated and displayed on the image 1301. Table 3 (annual frequency average) and Table 4 showing monthly average wave information can be entered into the computing system 1300 when designing components for a buoyancy pump device based on location and deployment period.

Continuing with FIG. 13, the display field is used to indicate the result of the operation created by software 1308 executed by the computing system 1304. The results displayed in the display field include the base height (h ₁ ) (see FIG. 4D), base diameter (d ₁ ), cone height (h ₂ ), and other dimensions, Various mechanical specifications for the buoyancy block 1301 may be included. In addition, other dimensions of the buoyancy pump device components, such as piston dimensions, can be calculated. The display field also affects operating specifications such as available stroke length and lifting travel time, lifting pressure (amount of upward pressure generated by buoyancy block 1301 as a function of wave parameters (eg height and length)). Parameters can also be included.

  The buoyancy pump device can also be scaled to meet the demands of a particular area. For example, first install a predetermined number of buoyancy pump devices to meet the demand of an existing area or part of an area, and then fill that area as the area expands, or of the original area An additional buoyancy pump device can be replenished to fill the rest. For example, this region may have only a small demand for energy, and if only 200 buoyancy pump devices are sufficient, or several square miles of buoyancy pump device comparable to the energy supplied by the dam. In some cases, a large amount of energy demand is required. Therefore, the buoyancy pump device can be increased or decreased, and can cope with any energy demand in a specific area to be supplied.

  Referring now to FIG. 14, an elevational view of one embodiment of a typical buoyancy pump power system 1400 utilizing a water tower is shown. One or more buoyancy devices 1410 in a group 1405 are distributed along the bottom surface 1415 of the water area 1420 in a predetermined configuration. One or more buoyancy devices 1410 of this group 1405 contain respective buoyancy pump devices 1410 so that they receive little or no influence from other buoyancy pump devices 1410 when subjected to wave motion. In such a manner, a lattice type, an array type, or another distributed arrangement is possible.

  The outlet line 1425 from the buoyancy pump device 1410 can extend along the bottom surface 1415 toward the short section 1430 that supports the water tower 1435. These discharge outlet pipes 1425 operate as a water supply source for sending water to the uppermost part of the water distribution tower 1435 or in the vicinity thereof.

  The distribution tower 1435 operates as a reservoir for pumped water that operates one or more turbines 1439 located in or near the bottom of the distribution tower 1435 in the turbine house 1440. Turbine house 1440 receives the water stored in water tower 1435 by the action of gravity and generates electrical energy from the water stream by one or more turbines 1439, within or adjacent to water tower 1435. It should be understood that it can be placed in close proximity to it. Water passing through one or more turbines 1439 may be returned back to the water body 1420 via the turbine outlet 1440. Alternatively, the water can be released for distribution to other uses, such as desalination for conversion to irrigation or drinking water, for example.

  The power line 1445 is connected to one or a plurality of turbines 1439, and the power generated by the turbine can be distributed to the power transmission network 1450 to which the power line 1445 is connected. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is also contemplated to deliver water to the distribution tower 1435 using a pump powered by other techniques rather than by using the buoyancy principle. For example, water can be supplied to the water distribution tower 1435 using a pump that generates power by rotating means and / or wind power.

  FIG. 15 is an elevation view of another embodiment of a typical buoyancy pump power generation system 1500. The same or similar configuration of one or more buoyancy devices 1510 in a group 1505 can be constructed along the bottom surface 1515 of the water area 1520 shown in FIG. A group of 1505 buoyancy devices 1510 house each buoyancy pump device 1510 such that it receives little or no influence from other buoyancy pump devices 1510 when subjected to wave motion, A lattice, array, or otherwise distributed arrangement is possible.

A discharge line 1525 from the buoyancy device 1510 may extend along the bottom surface 1515 toward a cliff 1530 that supports one or more reservoirs 1535 on the cliff top 1540. Alternatively, these one or more reservoirs 1535 can be constructed within the cliff top 1540 as one or more underground reservoirs or reservoirs. The discharge port line 1525 operates as a water supply source for sending water to the uppermost part of the water storage tank 1535 or in the vicinity thereof. In one embodiment, these one or more reservoirs 1535 can be made for secondary use. One such secondary use is a fish farm. Reservoir 1535 has one or more maximum water pressures as a function of gravity so as to operate one or more turbines 1540 located in a turbine house 1545 located at or near the bottom of cliff 1530. operating the water pumped from the buoyancy pump device 1510 in order to be applied to the turbine 1540 to savings built. Alternatively, the turbine house 1545 can be placed elsewhere if it is below the reservoir and can drive one or more turbines 1540. As understood in the art, different turbines operate at different water pressures such that the height of the cliff and / or the distance to the turbine below the reservoir 1535 can be based on the type of turbine utilized. . The electricity generated by the turbine 1540 can be conducted to the electrical wire 1550 for distribution to the power grid 1555.

  FIG. 16 is an illustration of another exemplary configuration of a buoyancy pump device 1602 disposed in a body of water 1604 to convert wave energy into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump device 1602 is configured to drive a gas, such as air, via the discharge outlet line 1606 in response to a buoyancy block (not shown) of the buoyancy pump device 1602 moving by waves. The reservoir 1608 can be placed on the shore 1610 or underground on the shore 1610 because the gas is compressible and therefore does not need to be lifted to drive the turbine 1612 contained in the turbine house 1614. Turbine 1612 can be coupled to storage tank 1608 via input delivery line 1616 to receive the compressed gas and drive turbine 1612. This turbine is connected to an electrical wire 1618 and distributes the electricity generated by the turbine 1612 to the power grid 1620 or other discharge location such as a factory.

FIG. 17A is an illustration of one exemplary pumping station 1700 that includes a buoyancy pump device 1702 configured to drive fluid to a reservoir 1704 in response to a wave 1706 in the ocean 1708. This pump station 1700 is configured as a grid of buoyancy pump devices 1702 including rows 1710 and columns 1712 of compartments 1713 for the buoyancy pump devices 1702 to be placed. Empty compartments along the columns separate or separate the two buoyancy pump devices 1702 along each row. Similarly, empty compartments along the rows separate or separate the two buoyancy pump devices 1702 along each column. By separating or separating the buoyancy pump devices 1702 as shown, the waves passing across the first column c ₁ and passing between the two buoyancy pump devices 1714a and 1714b are transferred to the rows r ₁₃ and r _15, i.e., arranged orthogonally between the two buoyancy pump device 1714a and 1714b, the second located in tandem _{c 2} and are re-formed before reaching the buoyancy pump device 1714c along the rows _{r 14} , whereby the buoyancy pump device 1714c in the second in columns _{c 2} is enabled to receive substantially the same wave energy to that buoyancy pump device 1714a and 1714b of the first in columns _{c 1} has received. The separation of the buoyancy pump device 1702 further helps to minimize the amount of energy that is lost from each wave. In order to minimize the amount of energy that is leaked from the waves, the buoyancy pump devices 1702 disposed in the pump station 1700 are each subjected to substantially equal forces. It should be understood that other configurations of the buoyancy pump device 1702 may be utilized that provide the same or similarly minimal changes to the waves to provide maximum wave energy to each pump. By using the pump station 1700 configuration of FIG. 17, beach 1714 receives each wave substantially the same as would have been received if pump station 1700 was not positioned in front of beach 1714. Therefore, the configuration of the pump station 1700 is an environmentally friendly measure when generating power from waves.

FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of the configuration of the buoyancy pump device 1702 including certain buoyancy pump devices 1714a to 1714c. Each buoyancy pump device 1714a and the discharge port conduit 1718a and 1718b of 1714b is configured to extend from each buoyancy pump device 1714a and 1714b toward the rows _{r 14} along the first column _{c 1.} Discharge port conduit 1718a and 1718b are coupled to another discharge port pipe 1718c along a row _{r 14} extending toward the shore (1716). Accordingly, a discharge port line (not shown) from the buoyancy pump device 1714c can be connected to the discharge line 1718c. In addition, another buoyancy pump device 1702 located in rows r ₁₃ to r ₁₅ is connected to the outlet line 1718c to allow the fluid material (ie, liquid or gas) discharged from the buoyancy pump device 1702 to land. Or it can be sent to a storage tank (not shown) arranged differently. It should be understood that other configurations of outlet lines can be used to deliver this fluid material to the reservoir. Such other configurations may differ structurally or geometrically. For example, rather than connecting the outlet lines 1718a and 1718b to a single outlet line 1718c, the outlet lines 1718a and 1718b may remain separated from each other.

Continuing with FIG. 17B, typical structural dimensions are shown for the pump grid. Each buoyancy pump device 1702 has a base size of 47.3 square feet. A separation distance of 15.8 feet is used between each row of buoyancy pump device 1702 (eg, rows r ₁ and r ₂ ).

  With further reference to FIG. 17A, a water reservoir 1704 disposed on the precipice top 1718 contains water pumped from the buoyancy pump device 1702 via the outlet conduit 1720. This water is stored in a water tank 1704 and flows through an output delivery line 1722 to one or more turbines (not shown) disposed in the turbine building 1724. This water can be discharged again to the ocean 1708 via the drain line 1726. In another embodiment, the reservoir can be located above a body of water, such as on a ship or on a crude oil rig.

  It is understood that the buoyancy pump system can be designed to completely absorb almost all potential energy from the passing wave and to utilize its power in the manner described and shown herein. Should be. Alternatively, the buoyancy pump system can be designed to absorb some potential energy (eg, 50%) from the passing waves. These designs can utilize a grid arrangement of pumping stations or other arrangements, but based on such arrangements, buoyancy pump devices can be provided in some or all empty sections.

  The above description relates to preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by such description. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims rather than by such description.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded elevation view of a buoyancy pump device in a first embodiment according to the principles of the present invention for use in a buoyancy pump power system. FIG. 2A is a top view of the buoyancy pump device of FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A taken along line 2B-2B. FIG. 2C is a side view of the assembled buoyancy pump device of FIG. 3A through 3C are top, side, and isometric views of an exemplary buoyancy block according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 3D is a partial cross-sectional view of a typical buoyancy block with a telescoping portion. 3E through 3F are top views of an exemplary adjustable base portion of an exemplary buoyancy block in a reduced configuration and an expanded configuration, respectively. 4A to 4C are side views of the buoyancy pump device of FIG. 1 when waves pass through the buoyancy pump device. FIG. 4D is a diagram schematically illustrating a typical wave. FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one embodiment of an alternative buoyancy pump device for use in a buoyancy pump power system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an elevational view of yet another embodiment of an exemplary buoyancy pump device for use in a buoyancy pump power system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an elevational view of another embodiment of an exemplary buoyancy pump device for use in a buoyancy pump power system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an elevational view of yet another embodiment of an exemplary wave pump of an alternative embodiment of a buoyancy pump apparatus for use in a buoyancy pump power system according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another embodiment of an exemplary buoyancy pump device for use in a buoyancy pump power system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an elevational view of yet another embodiment of a typical buoyancy pump device for use in a buoyancy pump power system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a buoyancy pump device coupled to a typical aquaculture ring for use in a buoyancy pump power system according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary buoyancy chamber ring that can be used as a structural component of another embodiment of a buoyancy pump device. 12B is a top perspective view taken along the cross-section of the buoyancy chamber of FIG. 1 utilizing the buoyancy chamber ring shown in FIG. 12A. 12C is a diagram of another embodiment of the buoyancy chamber ring of FIG. 12A configured as a piston chamber cap. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a system for dynamically determining and / or adjusting the size of a buoyancy block based on wave data, such a system being typically displayed on a display screen of a computing system. An image of a schematic diagram of a simple buoyancy block is shown. FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a typical buoyancy pump power system utilizing a water tower in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an elevation view of an exemplary buoyancy pump power system in an alternative embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an elevational view of yet another buoyancy pump power system in an alternative embodiment. FIG. 17A illustrates an exemplary pumping station 1700 that includes a buoyancy pump device configured to drive fluid to a reservoir in response to waves in the ocean. FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of the configuration of the buoyancy pump device, including a specific buoyancy pump device.

Claims (4)

A buoyancy cylinder (104) forming a cylindrical buoyancy chamber (112);
A buoyancy block (114) housed in the buoyancy chamber (112) and movable in the vertical direction of the buoyancy chamber (112) in response to a wave;
The buoyancy block (114) includes a second part that forms a closed space between the first part (352; 374) and the first part (352; 374) in combination with the first part. Part (354; 372), wherein the first part (352; 374) and the second part (354; 372) are the second part relative to the first part (352; 374). (354; 372) are connected so as to move in the vertical direction or radial direction of the buoyancy chamber (112) to change the volume of the buoyancy block (114);
A first cap (106) provided at an upper portion of the buoyancy chamber (112), which prohibits the buoyancy block (114) from moving upward beyond the first cap (106). When,
A piston cylinder (108) having a lower end coupled to the first cap and extending upward from the first cap (106);
A piston (120) movably disposed in the vertical direction to the piston cylinder (108) within,
A shaft (116) extending through the first cap (106), the shaft (116) being disposed within the buoyancy chamber (104) and connected to the buoyancy block (114); The piston (120) has an upper end disposed in the piston cylinder (108) and connected to the piston (120), and the piston (120) reciprocates with the buoyancy block (114) in response to a wave. things and,
A second cap (110) provided on the piston cylinder (108) and forming a closed piston chamber (122) in the piston cylinder (108), wherein the second cap (110) Has an inlet valve (124) and an outlet valve (126) formed in the second cap (110), and in response to the reciprocating movement of the piston (120) within the piston cylinder (108), Air enters and exits the piston chamber (122) through the inlet valve (124) and outlet valve (126),
With buoyancy pump.   In order to change the volume of the buoyancy block (114) by moving the second portion (354) relative to the first portion (352), a motor (364) provided in the buoyancy block (114). 376). The buoyancy pump of claim 1. The first part (352) has a first thread (360) and the second part (354) has a second thread (362), and the first thread (360). And the second thread (362) are engaged with each other,
The motor (364) is provided in the first part (352),
The drive shaft (366) of the motor (364) is connected to the second part (360),
Based on the driving of the motor (364), the second part (354) moves in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first part (352) so that the volume of the buoyancy block (114) changes. The buoyancy pump according to claim 2. The first portion (352) includes a plurality of outer plates (372), the second portion includes a plurality of inner plates (374), and the plurality of inner plates (374) includes the plurality of outer plates. (372) to form a closed space for the buoyancy block (114),
The plurality of outer plates (372) are connected via the plurality of inner plates (374), a gear (378), and a plurality of expansion bars (380), and the outer plate (372) is connected to the inner plate (374). 3), the diameter of the buoyancy block (114) expands or contracts to change the volume of the buoyancy block (114). Buoyancy pump.

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